Boulder Arts and Culture

Morning

A great way to start your day off is to grab a coffee at the Laughing Goat Coffee House. Since it's still early, relax with your cup of coffee while you take a peek at the local artwork. This artisan coffeehouse and gallery also features community performances in the evening hours, so if you can, stop back for poetry readings and acoustic music.

After you catch your morning buzz, head south to the campus of Naropa Institute. This liberal arts university is one of the few major accredited Buddhist-inspired universities in North America. Sit on the campus lawn where once Beat Generation poets Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman discussed ideas on founding Naropa's Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.

Head west from Naropa University to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, which is another example of Asian influence in Boulder. This beautiful Persian teahouse was given to the city of Boulder by its sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Be sure to notice the intricately carved cedar columns and colorfully painted ceiling while you sip a spicy chai or one of dozens of tea flavors.

When you have finished admiring the art and enjoying your cup of tea, wander next door to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. BMoCA is dedicated to the presentation of dynamic art of our time through the works of local and regional talents. Beyond the museum's exhibits, BMoCA also holds educational classes and monthly evening events.

Afternoon

An active morning of touring probably has given you a fierce appetite. A great way to satisfy an afternoon hunger is to grab a French-inspired lunch at Brasserie Ten Ten. The restaurant's menu offers up a variety of specialty dishes such as their duck confit and Edward Island mussels. There's not a better way to add to your fantastic meal than by choosing a glass of wine from their extensive wine list (catch happy hour between 3 and 6pm).

When your gallery tour is complete, it's time to reenergize before you hit the town. So why not receive a relaxing aromatherapy massage or a soothing seaweed body wrap at Essentiels Spa. This full-service spa can remedy your aches and blemishes from head to toe.

Evening

After you've spruced up for the evening hours, make your way to Corrida, with its stunning rooftop patio, for dinner. The dishes themselves are arts of work at this high-end gourmet restaurant.

If you would like to finish off the night with a little live entertainment, check the schedule for The Dairy Arts Center. This venue holds a wide variety of programming covering many genres in music, dance, theater and workshops.

When the doors let out it's time to finish off the evening with a night cap at The Kitchen Upstairs. This casual urban wine lounge has a great ambiance for you to enjoy a cocktail and chat about your artsy day spent in Boulder.